“We Saw the Same Thing With Earnhardt Sr.”: NASCAR Veteran Salutes Kyle Busch After Skepticism Over RCR Partnership

Not much was expected after Kyle Busch announced that he would sign with Richard Childress Racing after 15 successful years at Joe Gibbs Racing. After all, Busch had struggled for much of the last season and had missed being a part of the final four for three consecutive years. One of the skeptics was NASCAR veteran and analyst Kyle Petty. But to have a wrong take is one thing, and owning up to it after it is ripped to shreds is another. Petty did that though.

After racking up three wins already in an impressive start to his RCR stint the two-time Cup Series champion has given a befitting response to the critics of his move, and Kyle Petty acknowledged that.

Kyle Petty is all praise for Kyle Busch after initial skepticism

While appearing on the NASCAR on NBC Podcast after the race at Sonoma, Petty was asked about Busch’s title chances this season. The veteran made an honest admission, saying, “I said that going from Joe Gibbs Racing to Richard Childress Racing was a lateral step at best but I felt it was a step backwards for a driver of the caliber of Kyle Busch. You know what, 6 months removed from that sentiment and the 2023 season, I have to say that once again, I probably underestimated the talent and ability and focus and drive of Kyle Busch because Kyle Busch has single-handedly taken that team and done something special with it.”

Busch has been highly impressive this season and has already equaled his tally from the last two seasons combined with only 16 races done so far. Inevitably, Petty also brought up the Earnhardt comparison in the interview.

Petty brings up Dale Earnhardt comparison to compliment Kyle Busch

Days after Kyle Busch talked about crossing Dale Earnhardt’s career tally of 76 Cup Series wins, Petty paid the ultimate compliment to Busch, invoking Sr. himself. Petty said, “Kyle Busch sets in a seat, hangs onto the steering wheel, and drives totally different. We saw the same thing with Earnhardt Sr. and Mike Skinner and other guys that were teammates with Earnhardt. When you have that caliber of driver they just elevate the car and elevate the team to a different place and I think they have built RCR and are building RCR back to a place where they are a contender.”

High praise coming from a man who has spent more than 40 years with the sport but praise that is well deserved. After much of the 2022 season was filled with drama and uncertainty, 2023 is filled with optimism that Busch may finally win his third championship.